Middle East Experience

Social media showed protesters marching down the streets of Tehran chanting "Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, I will sacrifice my life for Iran."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'Death to the dictator!': Anti-government protests reach Tehran

"The Palestinians do not want to be in Jordan," Abdullah said. "They want their lands, they want their football team. They want their flag to fly above their houses."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Jordan can't be Palestinian homeland in two-state solution - King Abdullah

Months of tensions over Covid and the economy culminates in the sacking of the prime minister..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Tunisia President Kais Saied accused of coup amid clashes

Lebanon’s Najib Mikati, a billionaire, was designated by the country’s president on Monday to form a new government.This won’t be Mikati’s first rodeo as Lebanon’s premier. He was briefly the caretaker prime minister following the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Mikati was again tapped to be the prime minister in 2011 after Hariri’s son, Saad, had his government toppled by Hezbollah and its allies.He had experience in the local political scene while serving as Public Works and Transportation minister before heading the government for the first time.While the business tycoon is no stranger to allegations of corruption, charges he continuously denies, the Tripoli native has often been accepted by most political parties in Lebanon.But the challenge of forming a badly needed government in Lebanon may prove to be more difficult this time around.Mikati will be the third prime minister to try to form a government under President Michel Aoun. Aoun and his Free Patriotic Movement - headed by his son-in-law Gebran Bassil - refused to cooperate with Saad Hariri as he tried to form a government for the last eight months.Before Hariri, Lebanon’s Ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib also saw his attempts to form a non-partisan government made up of independent experts hindered by Hezbollah and Aoun.After being designated by Aoun on Monday, Mikati said he had “no magic wand” but expressed confidence that he would be able to lead Lebanon out of one of the worst situations it has ever experienced.In order to do so, Mikati will need the help of the international community. On Monday, he said he had “guarantees” from abroad that would aid Lebanon. He did not elaborate.The 65-year-old will look to use his global ties to garner support.Despite initially allying himself with the Iran-backed Hezbollah and pro-Syria parties, Mikati has shifted his stance to become closer to Saad Hariri in a bid to portray himself as a centrist figure.Ties with the international community, Syria’s AssadMikati and his brother Taha have made billions of dollars from the telecoms industry and investments in Abu Dhabi, Africa and other Middle Eastern countries.It was recently reported that Mikati’s M1 Group bought into a telecoms operator in Myanmar for $105 million.According to Forbes, M1 Group has investments in South African telecom firm MTN, fashion retailer Pepe Jeans, and real estate in New York, London and Monaco.The Mikati brothers had a lucrative contract with one of Syria’s biggest telecoms companies, but the pair reportedly had a falling out with the Assad regime following the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011.Forbes estimates Mikati’s net worth to be $2.7 billion.Read more: Biden slams Iran’s support for Hezbollah; US extends national emergency for Lebanon
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Out with the old, in with the old: Lebanon’s ‘new’ prime minister

Protesters from the Islamist Ennahda movement in Tunisia tried again on Monday evening to storm the main parliament building after dozens of them gathered in front of the site’s outer gate.Security personnel present at the site were able to repel the attempt without skirmishes or confrontations between the protesters and the security forces, witnesses said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The storming attempt comes hours after the Tunisian Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi left the vicinity of the Tunisian parliament after being prevented from entering. He had stayed inside his vehicle for several hours before leaving the site.Ghannouchi had staged a sit-in in front of the parliament surrounded by the Tunisian army, while skirmishes erupted between Ennahda supporters and Tunisian citizens. The Islamist party leader attempted to enter parliament, but the army prevented him from doing so.Supporters of the Ennahda party attempted to attack Al Arabiya and Al Hadath correspondents in front of the Tunisian parliament, while the Tunisian Ennahda movement called on its supporters to head to the parliament's headquarters.In a declaration late on Sunday, Tunisian President Kais Saied invoked emergency powers under the constitution's Article 18 to dismiss Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and suspend parliament for 30 days, saying he would govern alongside a new premier. He rejected accusations of a coup.Read more:
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Islamist Ennahda supporters attempt to storm Tunisian parliament

Top stories on #TheRoundUp today: :🇮🇷 Qatar’s FM meets Iran’s president-elect Raisi 📺 Al Jazeera offices stormed in Tunisia ✈️ Interactive guide launched for travellers visiting Qatar ⚽ Akram Afif leaves social media for ‘personal reasons’..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The Round Up | 26 July 2021 – Doha News | Qatar

Israel expanded its policy to demolish houses and facilities of Palestinians, including those funded by international donors.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel continues demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank

Israel is perplexed over the recent statement by Russian Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit concerning the interception in Syria of alleged Israeli missiles.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel concerned over possible new Russian policy on Syria

Since the end of the recent war that saw Israeli strikes devastate the Gaza Strip, health delegations have been flocking into Gaza in the hopes of helping revive the health sector that already had been ailing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Foreign medical delegations visit Gaza to try to help fragile health sector

At least one person was killed and 16 injured after an explosion at a chemical park in the western German city of Leverkusen on Tuesday, the site’s operator said, with four people still missing.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident and the death of an employee,” Chempark operator Currenta said in a statement, adding that “rescue efforts continue at full speed” to find the four remaining workers.The blast happened at around 09:40 am (0740 GMT) “for still unknown reasons”, it said.The explosion could be heard far and wide and sent a thick column of black smoke into the air.Germany’s NINA warning app sent an “extreme danger” alert to residents, urging them to close all doors and windows and keep the emergency numbers free as much as possible.Currenta said the incident occurred at Chempark’s landfill and waste incineration area in Leverkusen’s Buerrig district, which is separate from the main industrial park that houses numerous chemical companies including Bayer, Lanxess and Evonik Industries.Currenta said firefighters and rescue crews were at the scene, as well as pollution detection experts.Police in the nearby city of Cologne tweeted that they were closing several motorways in the Leverkusen area because of “major damage.”They urged drivers to steer clear of the area and told residents to move indoors “and close all windows and doors as a precaution.”“We are at the scene with many police officers to clarify the situation. There are several injured,” police said.Locals shared images on social media of the black cloud of smoke billowing into the air, with some saying their windows were rattled by the force of the explosion.Read more: Fire at Dubai port natural accident from container with flammable materials: GovtBritish Museum says will restore ancient artefacts damaged in Beirut blastWatch: Iran-backed Houthis decimate citizen’s house in Bayda
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Germany explosion: One person killed, 16 injured in chemical park blast